How Fortnite's PvP and free-to-play model work

More information has emerged about Epic's long-in-development building game Fortnite, including its competitive multiplayer component and free-to-play sales model.

Though both elements are still in development and Epic warns that they could change, the company gave details of its plans so far in the May issue of Game Informer. While the normal team gameplay revolves around building your defenses and preparing for monsters that come at night, the PvP limits your build speed by only giving one constructor. Other players lend support by scavenging for supplies for the constructor, or attacking the enemy base to distract them from their own building duties. Nighttime brings monsters just like in normal play, but you can lead them toward the enemy base to help in your assault.

The free-to-play element isn't finalized either, but right now Epic is considering a card pack model. Playing normally will gain you items on your own, but you could purchase card packs that would instantly give you more loot like schematics, heroes, vanity items, or more valuable items.

To accompany today's news, Epic announced it is opening registrations for alpha testers. The survey questions often mentioned free-to-play elements and microtransactions, along with other modern trends like Twitch streaming.

Steve Watts is a freelance writer who constructed his own fortress out of car parts, but then the police got involved, and it was a whole thing. You can read more of his keen insights by following him on Twitter and IGN.